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L) I 2 Sheets Sheet 1.

' T. R. BROWN & W. G. MBEKER.

v RAILROAD SWITCH STAND. N0.336,988. Patented Mar. 2, 1886.

INVENTOR I Mal MCMM

. WITNE SE (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.. T: R. BROWN & W. C. 'MEEKER.

RAILROAD SWITCH STAND.

I Pat'entd Mar.'2, 1886.

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- TATES,

ATENT 'FFICE.

THOMAS R. BROWN AND WALTER G. MEEKER, OF JERSEY CITY, N. J.

RAILROAD SWITCH-STAND.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 336,988, dated March 2, 1886.

Application filed October 7, 1885.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, THOMAS R. BROWN and WALTER C. MEEKER, citizens of the United States, and residents of Jersey City, county of Hudson, and State of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Railroad Switch-Stands, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to what are generally known as automatic railroad switch-stands, which are especially constructed for split or point switches, and are designed to permit the wheels of the engine or cars to automatically operate the stand through theswitch points or rails in case the latter should be misplaced; and our invention consists, further, of such an automatic stand, especially constructed to operate what are known as double-throw or three-way split switches, and will equally as well operate two adjacent single-throw split switches. Thus we accomplish with one stand what has heretofore required two separate and distinct stands, and is therefore an invention of great merit, as it will make the operation of double-throw or three-way split switches far more simple, as well as preventing delays in their operation, all of which will be more clearly understood by reference to the specifications and drawings.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the double-throw switch-stand as applied to a double-throw or three-way split switch. Fig. 2 represents vertical section of stand, showing the positions of the several parts when the stand is locked and ready to work automatically. Fig. 3 represents a transverse sectional view of stand, that portion above line 20 20 showing position of the several parts when stand is working automatically. Fig. 4. shows plan in section at y 3 Fig. 5 shows plan of cap or hub at W W. Fig. 6 shows plan in section at m m. Fig. 7 is plan in section at z 2. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of upper part of rocker-shaft or loose sleeve detached. Fig. 9 shows detail views of the crank and attachments disconnected. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the spring-sleeve. Fig. 11 shows detail views of the crank-pin.

Referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, the body or frame of stand A A is formed in halves, which are held together at intervals by bolts a passing through the ears Serial No. 179,194. (No model.)

1) formed for that purpose, and the stand is designed to rest on two ties, as shown in Fig. 1. Although it is not essential to its operation that it should be constructed to rest on two ties, still it is preferably so for rigidity.

The stand is provided with two vertical shafts, the solid one, B, rotating within the hollow one, C, and they are independent of each of the rods connecting it with one pair of the switch-points, as shown in Fig. 1.v The hollow shaft 0 passes only about half-way through the stand to the lower cap or hub, D, and is secured thereto by a key, 0.

crank C, to which in turn is connected the other rod, connecting it with the remaining pair of switch -points, (also shown in Fig. 1.) Both the solid shaft B and hollow shaft 0 pass through a loose sleeve or rocker-shaft, E and E, respectively. The upper ends of these loose sleeves terminate in the heads F and F, which are also a part of the said loose sleeves E and E. The said heads F and F rest on theinward projecting parts of the main body A and A, the said projecting parts also forming journals for the loose sleeves E and E.

In the upper and outer surfaces of heads F and F are four recesses or notches, f f f f, into one of which, on each head, rest the inward projecting parts G of the handles or hand operating levers G and G when in an upright position, as shown in Fig. 2. The handoperating levers G and G are pivoted to the caps or hubs D and D, respectively, at g 9.

Just below the heads F and F the loose sleeves or rocker-shafts are formed into squares or cams H and H, thefour sides of which are concave and the corners slightly rounded, as shown in Figs. 4, 7, and 8, for the purpose hereinafter set forth. Against two opposite sides of these squares or cams H and H are set the spring-sleeve compressors I I and I I, their inward faces being To the lower. end of the said hollow shaft 0 is secured the ICO . formed convex and fitting to theeoncaves'ur- :faces of the squares or cams H and H, as

shown in Fig. 7. Their outward ends are beveled under at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and operate against the beveled surfaces of cars jj and jj of the spring-sleeves J and J, and are shown in their diii'erent positions in Fig. 3.

Encircling the loose sleeves E and E, are spiral springsK and K, confined between the inward projecting parts of the main body of stand A and A and the spring'sleeves J and J. The spring-sleeves J and J are so constructed as to bear on the springs K and K, and yet work vertically on the loose sleeves or rocker-shafts E and E. The'said springsleeves J and J are provided with two beveled ears, j j and jj, opposite each other, which bear against the beveled surfaces of the compressors I I and I I. They also lit in grooves or guides formed on the main body of stand, to prevent any other than a direct vertical movement when working automatically. ,7

0n the caps or hubs D and D are formed ears or projections, between which are pivoted the handles or handoperating levers G and G, which also form pockets for the handles when in an upright position. The 'outward surface of cap 1) is formed into gears arranged to engage the pinion L on lower end of the transmittingshaft M, Fig. 2. r To the upper end of the transmitting-shaft M is secured a pinion, L, of the same size as the one on lower end of said shaft. The pinion L engages the geared segment N as shown in Fig. 2, thus operating the hollow shaft R, which carries the signal or target (2 On either side and near the lower part of the main body of the stand are the bars 0 0, having inward projections or stops P- of a suitable angle, against which the cranks B and C bear, as shown in Fig. 6, their func tions being more fully set forth in the description of the operation of this stand. The crank B has an adjustable crank-pin B, which is formed square at its upper end, or may be formed into any shape or form to prevent'its turning in its socket. Said crank-pin B is secured in its place by means of a bolt passing through it, which also holds the connectingrod on the crank-pin B by means of the Washer 12.

On two opposite sides of the square portion of the crank-pin Bare the projections b, which fit corresponding detents, b, on the under side of crank B, and which keep saidcrank-pin B from shifting when once adjusted as shown in Fig. 9. It is thus clearly seen that the throw of the crank can be adjusted oraltered by simply loosening the bolt which passes through the center of said crank-pin B sufliciently to allow the changing of the projections b from one detent to another, which operation does not involve the removal of the connecting-rod from the crank. v

The operation of this stand is as follows,

Fig. 1 showing the stand connected to a double-throw switch set right for the center track.

In order to set the switch right for the righthand track, it is simply necessary to lower the handle G to position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Pull it to the left as far as it will go, throw it upright again to its pocket, and the switch is set right for the right-hand track, and ready to work automatically. To set it right for the left-hand track, lower the handle G to a similar position of the one already described, and pull it to theright as far as it will go. Throw it upright again, and the switch is right for the left-hand track, and is ready to work automatically. hen the handles G and G are lowered, they are thrown out of the sockets or recesses f, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2, and thus all connection between the switch and the springs is broken. Therefore the operation and action become the same as many other ordinary or non-automatic crank-stands, as the action is direct from the handles G and G, which are pivoted to the caps or hnbsD and D. They in turn, being keyed or otherwise secured to shafts B and C, respectively, transmit the motion to the cranks B and G, thence through the connecting-rods to the switch. To prevent the said handles from being moved too far either to the right or left, the cranks B and O are made to bear against the bevel-surfaces of the projeetions P on the bars 0 when the said handles or operating-levers are in their proper positions to enter one of the notches or recessesf in the heads F and F, respectively. The said projections P also relieve the shafts and upper parts of the stand from any undue strain that may be caused from the passing of a train. In many stands this strain is-largely carried to the upper part of the stand, where it isleast calculated to bear astrain. The bars 0 0 may be either cast to the main body of the stand or they may be formed separately and bolted or otherwise secured thereto. The handles or operating-levers G and G cannot be thrown upright to their pockets or locked unless the switch is thrown entirely over to the other track, when the handles will be directly opposite one of the recesses f and ready to engage it. Thus it is evident that any obstruction between the points and the main rails will be instantly detected bytheinability of the operator to move or raise the handles to their proper positions.

The automatic operation of this stand is as follows: The points being closed for the track on which a train is running, the flanges of the wheels open the points, which in turn cause the connecting-rod to move the crank B or G, or both, as the position of the switch may be,

thus rotating the shaft B or O and the cap D.

ward the spring-sleeve compressors from position, as shown in Fig. 7, to position shown in Fig. 4:. At the same time the said compressors I I and I I force down the springsleeves J and J, compressing the springs K and K, as shown in upper half of Fig. 3. As soon as the train has opened the switch-points a little more than half-way the points of the cam H have passed the centers of the springsleeve compressors I I or have passed the line of direct pressure, and the force of the spring is brought to bear on the next surface of the cam H, and the result is the loose sleeve has made one-fourth of a revolution and has carried with it the handles, caps, and shafts, thus throwing the switch-points to the other track, or the complete and full throw of the switch.

In order to economize space and material and obtain symmetry of parts, the sides of the cams H and H are concave and the corresponding surfaces of the spring-sleeve compressors I I and I l are convex, thus giving a greater movement to the compressors than would be possible to obtain were the respective surfaces straight. The cap or hub D being housed within the main body of the stand A A, an opening is formed in said. body A, through which the ears or projections to which the handle or operating-lever G is pivoted pass or extend, and the said handle G is outside of the main body A, in a convenient position to be operated, as shown in Fig. 1.

The operating-levers G and G, when locked in position, are so close to the outer surface of the stand as to prevent the insertion of any bar or other means of leverage between them and the stand by which the switch might be thrown.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a switch-stand, the hollow shaft 0, provided with the crank C and surrounding shaft B, to which the crank B is attached, in combination with a railroad-switch standfor moving switch-points, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a railroad switch-stand, the springsleeves J and J, constructed to bear on the springs K and K, respectively, and to work vertically on the rocker-shafts or loose sleeves E and E, and provided with beveled ears 9 j and jj.

3. In a railroad switch-stand, the springsleeve compressors I I, having convex inner bearing-surfaces withouter ends constructed to operate against the beveled ears'j j of the spring-sleeve J;

4. The rotating shaft or sleeve E, provided with the head F and rotating cam or square H, the sides of which are concave to fit the convex surfaces of spring-sleeve compressors I I, and operating substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a switch-stand, the caps D and D, secured to the shaftB and hollow shaft 0, respectively, said shafts being mounted on the same axial line and in a common combination with the levers G and G, which engage with the heads F and F by the projections G", fitting into the recesses ff in the heads F and F, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a switchstand, the cap D, provided with the gear engaging with'the pinion L, secured to the vertical shaft M, and operating the segment N and signal sleeve or shaft Rby the pinion L.

7. In a railroad switch -stand, the signal sleeve or shaft R, surrounding and rotating around the shaft B, the upper target being attached to the shaft B, and the lower target, d being attached to the sleeve R, and both rotating the full throw of the switch, respectively.

8. In a switclrstand, the caseA A, provided with the bars 0 O, and stops P, of a suitable angle, in combination with the cranks B and 0*, respectively, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In aswitch-stand, the crank B, provided with an adjustable connecting rod, pin, or sleeve, B, having at its upper end projections b, fitting the corresponding detents, b and combining the switch-stand and switch-points by a suitable connecting-rod, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a railroad switchstand, the crank shaft B and hollow crankshaft O, in combination with the operating mechanism which is placed in a suitable frame, A, one above the other, and operating each shaft independently, substantially as shown.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our invention we have signed our names, in

- presence of two witnesses, this 5th day of O0- tober, 1885.

THOMAS R. BROWN. WALTER G. MEEKER.

'Witnesses:

WM. A. SHARP,

W. E. CHAPMAN. 

